While there is certainly benefit to making mindfulness a consistent formal practice, creating any new habit along these lines enables caretakers to remain more resilient themselves. A few breaths when shifting from one discussion with a family to the next is a mindfulness practice.

Remember that as a caregiver you deserve time to yourself and that you are doing this to make yourself a better caretaker for your loved one. Not taking care of yourself will only harm your loved one in the end.

As a nurse-turned-patient, I can say with 150 percent confidence that being a caregiver involves some of the hardest work in the world. In fact, I can't overstate how difficult being a caregiver is. It is painstakingly difficult, physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically and, it must be said, financially.

When children take on the role of caretakers in their families, they view the world differently; they see the struggles of their parents and understand that playing with dolls and train sets cannot improve the situation.